Uproar over power,water bills forces rethink

It is considering reverting to the original structure,which included a slab for consumption between 201-400 units of power. This slab was done away with after the power regulator announced a 26 per cent increase in tariff for domestic consumers,in June this year.

Relief was also announced on the water front,with Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit promising waiver of surcharge in arrears of water bills.

The DERC decision came after complaints of 33 per cent increase in bills after abolition of the 201-400 slab. The power regulator has now proposed to charge Rs 5.7 per unit for consumption between 201-400 units.

“We have proposed to restore the original slabs,which will mean restoration of the slab for consumption between 201-400 units and abolition of the new 0-400 units slab,” DERC chairman P D Sudhakar said.

He said the DERC would conduct a public hearing on the issue on October 8. The hearing will aim to get comments of stakeholders on the proposal,following which a final decision will be taken.

The regulator has proposed the change in slab with retrospect from July 1,when hiked tariff came into effect.

According to the existing slab,if a consumer’s monthly consumption goes beyond 200 units,he is charged Rs 4.8 per unit for the entire consumption as against the previous arrangement of different rates for first 200 units and the next 200 units.

A domestic consumer is now charged Rs 3.7 per unit for first 200 units of power,instead of earlier Rs 3. Consumers with a monthly usage of up to 400 units are charged Rs 4.8 per unit. If the new proposal goes through,the consumers will be charged Rs 3.7 for the first 200 units and Rs 5.7 for the next 200 units.

For water and sewerage bills,consumers will be required to pay only the current charges as of now.

“For settling the balance arrears in the bills,a campaign will be launched. It has been decided to waive off late payment surcharge in the arrears in respect of domestic consumers,” a Delhi Jal Board (DJB) official said.

At a meeting with MLAs on Wednesday,Dikshit said DJB will hold special camps across Delhi to resolve billing issues over the next two months.

“The dispute resolution committees will be set up under respective ZROs. The committees will be authorised to take decisions,on the spot,for settling the balance arrears and for quick dispute resolution. The consumers in domestic category can avail this benefit of waiver of late payment surcharge by settling the balance arrears during the special camps,” Dikshit said.

DJB has been asked to install a notice board outside the offices of ZROs stating the timings,days and brief information on settlement of arrears and waiver of late payment surcharge.

The CEO of DJB,Debashree Mukherjee,has been told to set up a special cell in her office to deal with the cases,suggestions and complaints submitted by MPs and MLAs.